Next
to Classical and absurdist plays, French theatre has
always been famous for its comedies and farces. Marc
Camoletti has been very successful in continuing this
tradition, of which "Happy Birthday" is a
typical example. It is, of course, based on secret love
affairs of the characters, combined with unfortunate
misunderstandings. Bernard has somewhat foolhardily asked
his mistress, Brigit, to his home on her birthday despite
the fact that his wife, Jacqueline, is present. To lull
Jacqueline's suspicions he has also invited his oldest
friend, Robert, and asks him to complete the cover-up by
pretending that Brigit is his own mistress. Robert
refuses since he has been having an affair with
Jacqueline, but Bernard involves him by low cunning. By
chance, a temporary maid Jacqueline has engaged for the
evening arrives when Bernard and Jacqueline are out and,
her name also being Brigit, Robert mistakes for Bernard's
girlfriend. Thus are laid the foundations for a shaky
edifice of frantic complications in which identities,
plots and counter plots - and bedrooms - are changed
round with ever increasing confusion until an unexpected
ending is reached which leaves everyone happy - not least
the "temporary" Brigit who has acquired a mink
coat and a wad of £5 notes.

Marc Camoletti was born in Geneva,
of Italian parents, but has lived most of his life in
Paris. His first-chosen career was painting, but he had
always loved the theatre and started writing plays. He
has had a dozen plays produced in Paris, including "Boeing
Boeing", which ran for six years in the West End.
Both "Boeing Boeing" and "Happy Birthday"
were adapted for the English stage by Beverly Cross.